Botanic Gardens inspire architectural symmetry in new Southbank development

There are some views architects work hard to hide when designing apartment high-rises. An unsightly neighbouring tower, nearby train tracks or a bustling freeway.

Then there are those views architects strive to make their buildings drink in, even emulate by way of design.

Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens is a case in point. With 38 hectares of lush greenery, the gardens are a sight to behold when seen from a bird’s eye view. Described by some as “the lungs” of our city, the gardens are a green oasis amid the concrete dominating the CBD landscape.

Surrounding architecture must capture the sanctuary and beauty of the gardens while nodding to their historic significance. No mean feat for even the most experienced architects.

It was a task that fell to Beau Fulwood and his team at SJB Architects while drawing up the designs for Botanic Melbourne, a 21-level apartment tower overlooking the gardens.

“We thought the relationship to the botanic gardens was really strong and was always going to be a feature of the architecture,” he says.

“We toyed with a lot of ideas and the biggest one we thought about was the longevity of the design and making sure we came up with something that didn’t date.”

Vivid greens and bursts of yellow and orange found in the garden precinct evoke a bright colour scheme, but Fulwood says the best architectural response was a timeless design with a low-key palette.

“We started to think more in terms of contemporary, yet sort of classic design, so we didn’t do anything too crazy,” he says.

“We also started to think about the materiality in colour, taking cues from the earthy tones, the wood tones and the materiality like that rather than something that might be a bright colour and that might date in a couple of years because bright colours tend to be trend-driven and people get over them pretty quick.”

Natural elements are essential for garden-influenced architecture and to this end, Fulwood says bronze, timber and stone make effective interior and exterior features.

The iconic Shrine of Remembrance is another prominent factor on St Kilda Road and Domain precinct architecture. The monument’s predominant use of stone is reflected at the Botanic Melbourne in the stone cladding on the facade and stone features in the podium and also nearby at St Kilda Road address The Melburnian with its use of bluestone at podium level.

Landscaping, arguably an afterthought in some developments, takes on a critical role when placed side-by-side with a landmark city garden. Landscaper Jack Merlo, who has designed the terraced spaces on level five of the Botanic Melbourne, says just because there is plenty of greenery nearby, doesn’t mean there should be any reduction within.

“With the reference of botanic and the garden, hence the name of the project, there was certainly a big focus on this level five space to make it as green as possible and a really functional outdoor space,” he says.

“It’s a key selling feature of the development.”

While nature is an all-important driver in architecture, it has a mightier effect on the human brain. Psychology studies have proved a link between “restorative environments” on people’s mental functioning, social relationships and even physical wellbeing.

The peaceful feeling from looking at greenery is one people are happy to pay a premium for.

Colliers International managing director of residential Tim Storey says a view of the Royal Botanic Gardens accounts for 25 to 30 per cent of an apartment’s price.

“The thing about high-rise living is a lot of people don’t actually like the height and they feel disengaged with the rest of their surroundings,” he says.

“With the garden — you see it very much in Sydney on the water — people feel very engaged with their surroundings when they face a view down in front of them. And I’m sure psychologically that is a real factor, that it helps them relax because it’s a view they feel comfortable with.”

Botanic Melbourne, 25 Coventry Street, Southbank
Starting from $425,000
Open for inspection: Onsite display suite is open by appointment.
Agent: Colliers, Tim Storey 0412 612 170

As the name implies, Botanic Melbourne is all about the lush views. Developers Evolve have found a plum site for this development, which is surrounded by the Royal Botanic Gardens on one side and the CBD on the other.

The neighbouring Victoria Barracks is heritage-listed which means views from upper-level apartments are likely to remain unblocked. What’s more, residents will only have to walk 150 metres to the Royal Botanic Gardens and just 300 metres to the Shrine of Remembrance.

There are 288 apartments across 20 levels, the majority are one-bedroom, although final numbers may change as future residents amalgamate some apartments.

Residents and their guests will have access to a range of communal areas including a heated lap pool, gym and meeting room. The landscaped courtyard features a barbecue, outdoor fireplace and seating. There’s also a residents’ lounge, kitchen and dining area.

More than 100 apartments have already sold at Botanic Melbourne. Of the remaining apartments, one-bedrooms start at $425,000, one-bedroom plus study from $510,000, two-bedrooms from $655,000 and three-bedrooms start at $1,555,000.

Construction is slated to start in the first half of 2017 with completion scheduled for mid-2019.

A view to remember

It’s likely first-home buyers Ashleigh Poh and Nicholas Edwards will be hosting many New Year’s Eve celebrations at their new apartment at Botanic Melbourne.

Enviable city views mean they will have a cityscape panorama when the fireworks go off.

“I think it’s great to get a view of the city and when we look at fireworks it will be great,” Poh says.

“We currently live on level two and don’t have much of those views. I think this way will be so much more exciting to celebrate New Year’s and all those celebrations.”

The South Melbourne couple is also looking forward to the proximity of the Royal Botanic Gardens.

“We frequently jog around the Tan, so it’s one aspect of our lifestyle that we’re glad that we can continue,” Poh says.

They will move into their one-bedroom plus study apartment in 2019 when construction is expected to finish.

“We’ve always wanted to stay in this area,” Poh explains.

“We’ve been in South Melbourne for about 10 years and we’ve been looking for a similar apartment nearby. We weren’t actively looking when we purchased, but it’s always been in the back of our minds.”

The couple, who purchased their apartment after walking past an ad for the development, say the location ticks all their boxes.

“One of the reasons we like the area so much is because you get to be close to the city without being inside of it,” she says.

“It’s a great distance so you can get access to the city, but in a quieter, more residential area.

“We decided it was the right time and place for us. Usually people look around multiple places and think about it over time, but for us, it was almost an immediate feeling of this is the place we want to buy.”

Or try these

131/51 Spring Street, Melbourne
$5.75 million

This three-bedroom sub-penthouse enjoys uninterrupted views across the Royal Botanic Gardens as well as Treasury Gardens. At 400 square metres it includes a media room, walk-through wardrobe and luxury granite en suite.

Kay & Burton, Tim Blackett 0400 780 700

4102a/625 Chapel Street, South Yarra
$4.79-$5 million

Both Fawkner Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens can be spied from this three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at Capitol Grand.

Amity Real Estate, Christian Numa on 0434 303 246

1502/35 Albert Road, Melbourne
$700,000-plus

This two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment enjoys a view across the city skyline including the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Shrine.

Fletchers, Nancy Jia 0430 770 820